50+ Spooktastic Outdoor Halloween Decorations to Make
Floating Ghosts in a Spooky Yard
Ah, the classic floating ghost—a Halloween staple that says, "I want to spook you, but in a charming way."
How to Put Together the Decoration:
- Drape cheesecloth over foam balls, add black eyes—it’s ghost-making at its easiest.
- Hang them from branches with string and add some orange lights.
- The idea is to make them sway just right when the wind blows—a touch of ghostly charm.
Hanging Cheesecloth Ghost
There’s something about a single ghost hanging from a tree that feels so satisfyingly spooky. It’s like you caught one mid-haunt, and now it’s just floating there, waiting.
How to make it:
- Drape cheesecloth over a plastic skull—secure it so the wind doesn’t ruin your handiwork.
- Hang it with fishing line, so it looks like it’s just hovering there, ominously minding its own business.
Escape from the Graveyard
Skeletons busting out of a grave, like they’ve got somewhere to be. It’s dramatic, and a little bit chaotic, which is exactly what Halloween is about. Set this up to make it look like they’re escaping their eternal rest—because even skeletons need a break sometimes.
How to make it:
- Arrange fake skeleton parts under wooden boards—like they’re pushing up from below.
- Add red lights to give the whole scene a glow that says, “Beware, something is definitely coming for you.”
Skeleton BBQ Chef
Why settle for a regular garden decoration when you could have a skeleton grilling body parts? It’s equal parts spooky and ridiculous, and that’s what makes it a winner. A skeleton in a chef's hat, working the grill, might just be the funniest thing in your yard this Halloween.
How to make it:
- Dress a skeleton in a chef's hat and apron—extra points if you add a fake mustache.
- Set it up next to a grill with some fake body parts sizzling away. It’s all about that macabre humor.
Ghostly Circle of Friends
A circle of ghosts, glowing softly in the night, like they’re holding some ghostly council meeting. It’s haunting but also oddly beautiful—exactly the kind of juxtaposition that Halloween thrives on.
How to make it:
- Make ghost bodies with foam heads or balls on stakes, draped in white fabric—nothing fancy.
- Arrange them in a circle, make them hold “hands,” and pop some lights in the middle. It’ll look like they’re sharing ghostly secrets.
Haunting Hooded Figure
There’s something about a hooded figure just sitting there, lurking, that can send shivers down anyone’s spine. It’s mysterious, blending in with the surroundings, until someone suddenly notices it—and then wishes they hadn’t.
How to make it:
- Use a mannequin or build a frame, then drape it with fabric sprayed to be weatherproof.
- Position it sitting, with the hood low over the face. The goal is to make anyone who spots it do a double-take.
Creepy Haunted Walkway
Chains, cobwebs, and lanterns are all you need to create the atmosphere of a haunted manor. It’s all about setting the mood before anyone even rings the doorbell.
How to make it:
- Drape chains and cobwebs along the walkway—attach them to stakes or railings for stability.
- Line the path with lanterns to light the way—giving just enough light to see, but not enough to reassure anyone.
Escape from the Underworld
Zombies breaking through a wooden barricade—because nothing says "Halloween" like a zombie apocalypse right on your lawn. It’s the perfect display for those who enjoy a good scare and want to make sure the neighbors know it.
How to make it:
- Set up wooden pallets or boards as a broken barricade—leave gaps where zombies can “escape.”
- Position life-sized zombie props beneath, reaching out as if they’re clawing their way to freedom. The more desperate, the better.
Creepy Doll Parade
There’s something inherently unsettling about old dolls, especially when they’re all lined up leading to something more sinister. A parade of creepy dolls with a mysterious black bag at the end—it’s the kind of scene that makes people stop, stare, and wonder what on earth happened here.
How to make it:
- Arrange old, weathered dolls in a line or cluster—make them look as worn and eerie as possible.
- Place a stuffed black bag at the end, shaped to look like a body.
- It’s that extra touch that’ll make people really uncomfortable, and isn’t that the goal?
Witchy Garden Gathering
Imagine turning your garden into a full-blown Halloween spectacle—a mix of mummy-wrapped trees, a witch tree, and all those classic decorations that scream, “I really got into the Halloween spirit this year.” It’s spooky and over-the-top, but in the best way possible.
How to make it:
- Wrap trees with white fabric or toilet paper for mummy trees, googly eyes included—because even mummies need to see.
- Dress another tree as a witch—black plastic for the cloak, a hat, and a broomstick.
- Add pumpkins around it to finish off that classic witch vibe.
Skeleton Family Graveyard
Who says Halloween can’t be funny and spooky at the same time? This display has skeletons digging up a grave, complete with a custom tombstone that gives it a personal touch. Bonus points for adding skeletal pets, just to make it even weirder.
How to make it:
- Set up life-sized skeletons with shovels in a digging pose, like they’re working hard on escaping.
- Add a personalized tombstone and some skeletal pets—they’re cute in a very creepy way.
Peek-a-Boo Tree Ghost
Ghosts don’t always have to be terrifying—sometimes they’re just playful spirits peeking out from behind a tree. This one’s perfect for making people jump just a little before they realize it’s only cardboard.
How to make it:
- Cut ghost shapes from white foam board, paint on simple eyes—nothing fancy.
- Attach the ghosts to the back of a tree, so it looks like they’re peeking out, ready to surprise.
Haunted Forest Warning Sign
A sign that warns everyone they’re about to enter a haunted forest—whether or not you actually have a forest is beside the point. It adds to the atmosphere, and that’s what matters.
How to make it:
- Use old wooden boards, paint a creepy warning in white or red—something like "Enter if you dare."
- Place the sign at the entrance of a wooded area or along a path—because nothing says "welcome" quite like a warning sign.
Witches in the Yard
A yard scene that features one witch brewing something suspicious in a cauldron, while another floats eerily above. It’s exactly the kind of scene that makes kids cross the street when they see it.
How to make it:
- Set up a witch by a cauldron on the ground—add fog or lights to make it extra spooky.
- Suspend another witch from a tree with fishing line—because a floating witch is always a good scare.
Glowing Pumpkin Tower
A tower of glowing jack-o’-lanterns—just the thing for those who believe more is always better, especially when it comes to Halloween decor.
How to make it:
- Stack carved pumpkins or jack-o’-lanterns, secure them with stakes so they don’t topple.
- Surround them with twisted branches, faux leaves, and lights. It’s all about that eerie autumn glow.
The Lantern Keeper
A hooded figure, draped in tattered cloth, holding a lantern—just standing there, lighting the way. The effect is both haunting and oddly comforting, as if it’s guiding you to a world you’re not sure you want to enter.
How to make it:
- Use a tall frame or mannequin, drape it with layers of torn fabric—make it look like it’s been out there for ages.
- Place a lantern in its hand—battery-operated, of course—so it lights up the darkness.
Skeleton Chef's Brew
A skeleton stirring a bubbling cauldron—because even the undead need to work on their cooking skills. It’s spooky, sinister, and just a bit funny to see a skeleton looking so busy.
How to make it:
- Position the skeleton over a cauldron, secure a ladle in its hands—it’s time to “cook.”
- Add orange or red lights beneath the cauldron to create that bubbling, fiery effect. Spooky, but also strangely impressive.
Grim Witch in the Graveyard
A tall witch standing in the graveyard, her shadow looming over the tombstones—she’s the kind of figure you’d expect to see in a classic horror story.
How to make it:
- Build a tall frame, drape it in black fabric, and add a twisted hat—make her look extra foreboding.
- Use a creepy mask for the face, and add torn cloth to give her an eerie, haunted look.
Witch of the Woods
A towering witch figure emerging from a pile of branches—she looks like she’s just come out of the woods to cast her spells. It’s chilling, but it makes for a fantastic focal point.
How to make it:
- Build a base of branches and twigs, securing them to form a witch’s “skirt.”
- Place the witch figure on top, complete with a hat and a few props—like a skull or broom—to add to her woodland charm.
Portal to the Other Side
An archway made of twisted branches, hinting at a portal to somewhere you’re not sure you want to go. It’s mysterious, chilling, and just a bit enchanting.
How to make it:
- Arrange large branches into an arch, secure with twine or wire—think of it as a doorway to another realm.
- Add skeletal hands or eerie decorations to make it extra spooky—it’s all about adding those little unsettling details.
Tree Monster
Turn a regular tree into something straight out of a nightmare—a tree monster with glowing green eyes and a menacing grin. Perfect for making sure nobody lingers too long near that part of the garden.
How to make it:
- Attach glowing eyes and a jagged mouth to the tree—foam or painted wood works well for this.
- Use bark or twigs to add eyebrows, enhancing the tree's monstrous expression. Because nothing says “stay away” like a grinning tree with glowing eyes.
Bewitching Halloween Porch Display
Nothing says “Halloween is here” quite like a skeleton witch, tombstones, and a bunch of bat silhouettes. This porch aims for that perfect mix of spooky and charming—enough to let trick-or-treaters know they’re in for a real fright, but not quite terrifying enough to scare them away entirely.
How to make it:
- Set up tombstones and add a skeleton witch then hang "Trick or Treat" signs, bat silhouettes, and a few ghouls to complete that chilling porch vibe.
Gravedigger's Eerie Halloween Display
Picture a sinister gravedigger standing there, shovel in hand, with a weathered coffin next to him. Add a tombstone and a slightly judgmental owl perched on his shoulder—it’s classic, creepy, and a little bit over-the-top, which makes it perfect.
How to make it:
- Position a gravedigger prop with a shovel and place a weathered coffin beside him.
- Add a tombstone and an owl prop.
Zombie Hand in Terracotta Pot
A zombie hand sprouting from a terracotta pot—it's part garden, part horror movie, and totally perfect for Halloween. The eerie roots and spooky label make it look like someone accidentally grew a monster instead of a plant.
How to make it:
- Place a fake zombie hand in a terracotta pot and add some "roots" around it.
- Attach a spooky label to finish off this delightfully macabre centerpiece.
Skull-Adorned Spooky Bridge
A bridge lined with skulls and draped in dark fabric—it’s the sort of unsettling pathway that makes you think twice before crossing. Roped off to add to the mystery, it leads into what could be anything—hopefully not too sinister.
How to make it:
- Mount skulls on wooden posts, drape them in dark fabric, and position them along the bridge.
- Rope off the path for that "danger ahead" feeling, enhancing the creepy factor.
Witch Broom Parking Station
A bit of Halloween humor with a "Broom Parking Only" sign and a bunch of brooms hanging beneath it. It’s a charming nod, or a doff of the cap, to every witch who needs somewhere to park after a night of spells and hexes.
How to make it:
- Set up a "Broom Parking Only" sign and hang an assortment of witches' brooms.
- Add cobwebs or little spiders for that ultra creepy, Thriller-esque, touch.
Haunted Front Yard Graveyard
Why settle for anything less than a full-on haunted graveyard right in your front yard? Tombstones, chained skull posts, and a haunted porch all combine to make sure your yard says, “Enter if you dare.”
How to make it:
- Set up tombstones and chain skulls to posts to mark out the graveyard area.
- Adorn the porch with cobwebs, jack-o'-lanterns, and whatever else screams “haunted.”
Humorous Skeleton Tombstone
A tombstone with a skeleton hand emerging from the ground and the words "Still Dead Thanks for Checking"—because even skeletons appreciate a good joke. It’s quirky, it’s eerie, and it’s bound to get a laugh or two.
How to make it:
- Set up a tombstone with a cheeky message, then add a skeleton hand sticking out of the ground.
- Arrange it near the front of the yard for everyone to see and enjoy.
Skeletons on Lawn Mower
A skeleton driving a lawn mower with glowing red eyes and another one crawling ahead—it’s spooky, sure, but mostly it’s just hilarious. Halloween doesn’t always have to be scary; sometimes, a little undead yard work is just the thing.
How to make it:
- Set one skeleton on a lawn mower and position another crawling in front.
- Give the driver some glowing red eyes to make sure they really catch people’s attention.
Skeleton Mowing Mishap
Imagine a skeleton pushing a lawn mower, only to realize he’s run over another skeleton. It’s Halloween humor at its finest—adding a bit of playfulness to the spooky season.
How to make it:
- Set up one skeleton pushing a lawn mower, and position another sprawled out on the grass in front of it.
- It’s all in the positioning—make sure they look like they’re in the middle of a very unfortunate mowing incident.
Elaborate Haunted Yard Display
This display is all about cramming as many spooky elements as possible into your yard—tombstones, skeletons, jack-o'-lanterns, giant spiders, and cobwebs. The whole shebang.
How to make it:
- Fill the yard with tombstones, skeletons, and jack-o'-lanterns—cover every corner with something spooky.
- Add giant spiders, creepy figures, and lots of cobwebs. It’s about creating a full-on haunted experience.
Enchanted Halloween Entrance
Turn your entrance into an enchanting but spooky gateway, filled with glowing jack-o'-lanterns, eerie green lights, and cobwebs. It’s perfect for setting the mood for trick-or-treaters—half eerie, half magical.
How to make it:
- Adorn the entrance with jack-o'-lanterns and set up green lights for a mystical glow.
- Add cobwebs and other spooky decorations—enough to make it feel like an enchanted Halloween portal.
Witch Coven Gathering
A coven of witches gathered around a cauldron, with spooky lighting to make the whole scene look like they’re brewing something sinister. It’s eerie, it’s classic Halloween, and it’s the kind of scene that gets people to stop and stare.
How to make it:
- Set up life-sized witches in a circle around a cauldron—add some dry ice or a fog machine for effect.
- Make sure they’re all wearing pointy hats and add some spooky lighting for that bewitching glow.
Bewitching Halloween Trio
Three witches gathered around a bubbling cauldron, looking like they’re plotting something sinister—classic Halloween magic. With cobwebs, skulls, and spooky lighting, it’s a scene that brings out all those witchy clichés in the best way possible.
How to make it:
- Position three witch figures around a bubbling cauldron.
- Dry ice or a fog machine can really make that “brew” convincing.
- Surround them with cobwebs, skulls, and eerie lights to set the scene—it's all about making it feel magical and unsettling at once.
Grim Reaper Porch Display
A skeletal Grim Reaper right on your porch, draped in tattered robes, standing there silently as if waiting for something—or someone. Surrounded by flickering candles, jack-o'-lanterns, and lanterns, it gives off the vibe that maybe, just maybe, you should be cautious before stepping any closer.
How to make it:
- Set up a Grim Reaper figure—use tattered fabric to give it that truly "worn by time" look.
- Add flickering candles and jack-o'-lanterns around the porch.
- The goal is to make visitors feel like they’re walking into a scene from a horror story.
Enchanted Pumpkin Patch
A rustic cart overflowing with pumpkins, set beside a spooky, haunted house—it’s the pumpkin patch of every Halloween lover's dreams.
How to make it:
- Fill a rustic cart with pumpkins of all shapes and sizes—add a few carved ones for that extra Halloween touch.
- Position it beside a haunted house facade, and weave in twisted branches and spooky lighting to give it that haunted, magical feel.
Zombie Graveyard Warning
A menacing zombie crawling through a graveyard, surrounded by tombstones and skulls—it’s classic Halloween horror, complete with "Keep Out" signs that make it feel like something bad happened here (and probably still is).
How to make it:
- Position a zombie figure crawling through tombstones, with skulls scattered around, then add lanterns and "Keep Out" signs to create that eerie, chilling atmosphere.
Glowing Spiderweb House
Giant spiders and glowing green webs covering the house—it's hard not to get chills just thinking about it. Oversized decorations, eerie lighting—it’s all about creating that over-the-top, haunted vibe that’ll catch everyone's eye and make the house a real Halloween spectacle.
How to make it:
- Attach giant spider props to the house, then drape glowing green webbing all over.
- Eerie lighting will make the spiderwebs pop - colors like green and purple will look awesome.
Witch's Broom Parking
A simple yet charming idea—a row of witch brooms lined up with a "Broom Parking" sign. It’s a playful nod to the idea that every good witch needs somewhere to leave her broom after a long day of casting spells, and it brings a touch of whimsy to your yard.
How to make it:
- Set up a "Broom Parking" sign and neatly line up rustic witch brooms against a fence.
- Add some cobwebs or small pumpkins around for extra Halloween charm.
Graveyard Skeleton with Raven
A skeleton sitting beside a tombstone marked "Robin Banks"—a pun that’s both dark and clever. The raven perched ominously on top just makes it all the more unsettling.
How to make it:
- Set up a skeleton next to a personalized tombstone—"Robin Banks" adds a bit of humor.
- Surround the display with tombstones and fall foliage to make the scene feel convincingly eerie.
Trapped Skeleton Display
A tombstone for "Noah Scape" with skeletal hands chained and reaching out—it’s Halloween humor with a morbid twist. The scene makes you wonder what poor Noah did to deserve this fate, and the eerie lighting just makes everything more spine-chilling.
How to make it:
- Set up a tombstone with the name "Noah Scape," and position skeletal hands chained, emerging from under a wooden pallet.
- Add rocks and some eerie lighting to give the impression of something—or someone—trying desperately to break free.
Pool Noodle Spider
This oversized spider starts with a stability ball as the body, and pool noodles shaped into long, creepy legs. Paint it all black and, just like that, you’ve got a giant spider that looks like it crawled out of your worst nightmare.
How to make it:
- Attach pool noodles to a large stability ball using spray adhesive.
- Shape the noodles into spider legs, then let everything dry.
- Spray paint the entire structure black—because no one wants to see a colorful, happy spider.
